7mesh Colorado Arm Warmers

Tell us what the product is for

7mesh describes these as, "Adjustable-length, articulated arm warmers made for shoulder-season rides in cool, changeable conditions.

"Inheriting the water-repellent, fleece-backed Colorado fabric from our popular Hollyburn & Seymour tights, 7mesh Warmers feature smart articulation for a wrinkle-free fit, with welcome touches of reflectivity for low light visibility. Uniquely, a trimmable cuff provides the ultimate in customisation to let you achieve the perfect length."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

7mesh lists:

80% polyester, 20% elastane with DWR

Weight: 60g a pair

FEATURES

Trimmable hem provides customized fit

Silicon gripper to hold in place

Low profile overlock seams

Articlated sleeve

Reflective details

LENGTH

X-Small: 17.25" / 44cm

Small: 18 .25" / 46.5cm

Medium: 19.25" / 49cm

Large: 20.25" / 51.5cm

X-Large: 21.25 / 54cm

Arm warmers are trimmable by up to 2.25" / 5.75cm

More than a simple tube of fabric, these arm warmers have a sculpted seam that runs up the outside of the arm before crossing under the elbow to run up the inner arm to the top. This seam is tidily double-stitched, though not flat-locked. The top has no elastic to keep it in place, relying only on the natural stretch of the fabric and some silicone "stripes" to keep it in place.

I've been using these through the autumn and first part of the winter, mostly as an extra layer under long sleeves, and I found them warm and comfortable. They stayed in place provided I didn't try to pull them up above the top of the bicep.

There's not much to go wrong, given that the stitching is well executed. The lightweight fabric won't be the most durable but seems resilient to snags. The silicone grippers are securely attached and seem to be standing up well to washing. I haven't yet managed to abrade or snag them on Velcro glove fastenings or the like.

See below about sizing to find out how to get the right fit; I came up as "medium", and these fitted me well, without trimming, but I have very long arms.

The 7Mesh website includes a fitting guide and it's important you check this. "With your arm relaxed, measure just above the fullest part of your bicep (check both arms)," says 7Mesh. This gives you the measurement you need to choose the right size. These come in XS, S, M, L and XL. The length increases accordingly, from 44 to 54cm. You can trim the length at the wrist, by up to 5.75cm.

They came up even lighter on the road.cc Scales of Truth than 7Mesh's stated 60g; of course they're going to weigh less than a full-on winter Roubaix arm warmer.

You barely notice them once on.

They aren't cheap, but given their versatility, good fit and comfort, they're likely to get plenty of use – which helps justify it.

How easy is the product to care for? How did it respond to being washed?

They can be washed at up to 40 degs, though mine always went in at 30. They dry very quickly.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Although these turned up too late for the "short-sleeved top plus arm warmers" season, I did get a couple of outings on milder days and found them surprisingly warm for their weight and thinness. Mostly I used them to turn short-sleeved baselayers into long-sleeved ones, with a long-sleeved top over, and they were cosy and comfortable. They stayed in place and the good length means there's no need to suffer a gap at either the wrist or upper arm.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

I needed all that sleeve length for my long arms, and welcomed the good wrist coverage. The fabric is soft and comfortable, plus the good fit and that they don't wrinkle.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

They're pretty expensive.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

They're expensive – £20 to £25 more than many. We liked these Lusso Actives which are half the price and are made in the UK. Sizing is a common complaint among our reviewers – Stu recommended going up a size on these Specialized Thermals, which offer a similar fabric for £20 less – so it depends on how much value you set on getting a custom fit.

Use this box to explain your overall score

There's clearly some good thought gone into this product. The ability to trim the length means you can get them right at the wrist without having to pull them up or down at the bicep. This ensures they grip where they should and stay in place. The left- and right-specific cut and the snaking seam mean the fit is snug and comfortable without wrinkles. As 7Mesh says, they're best suited to spring and autumn use, but I've mainly used them to enhance short-sleeved base layers under a long-sleeved top and they've proven useful. Because they're so light, they're a good option to stick in a jersey pocket, 'just in case'. Overall, they're very good – it's just the high price that marks them down.